Electric Horseman: Workhorse W-15 Plug-In Pickup Planned for 2018

Electric motors are great for vehicles that will haul loads in stop-in addition to also-go conditions in addition to also at low speeds; that will means they could be ideally suited to powering trucks, in certain conditions. While the item’s a bit surprising that will there hasn’t been a true electric pickup yet, Tesla Motors has one in its longer-range product plan. although today Workhorse, a fleet-vehicle specialist, looks poised to beat Tesla to market which has a truck called the W-15.

While the majority of light-duty pickups today are sold for personal use, a significant portion are essentially tools of the trade—carrying supplies for construction or utility projects, for instance, or getting workers in addition to also their tools by one job site to the next.

the item’s here where the Workhorse W-15 could prove perfect for the task. The truck, which is actually under development in addition to also targeted to go into production in 2018, isn’t a pure battery-electric vehicle, the item’s a range-extended plug-in. “We believe This specific will be the first plug-in range-extended electric pickup truck built by the ground up by an OEM in America. the item’s not a conversion vehicle,” said Steve Burns, Workhorse CEO, in a Discharge.Workhorse argues that will with an 80-mile range the item will cover the vast majority of needs for locally driven trucks. the item says that will what underpins the W-15 will be an extension of the E-Gen powertrain, as used inside the company’s electric commercial delivery trucks—which would likely mean a tiny fuel tank in addition to also an emphasis on gasoline power truly as a backup. Those E-Gen versions have 60 kWh of battery capacity (split between two packs) in addition to also 268-hp motor, plus a 647-cc two-cylinder BMW gasoline engine (by the BMW i3) that will acts purely as an onboard generator, extending these trucks’ range by 60 miles up to 0 miles. the item’s possible that will the pickup will use a stronger range extender or bigger fuel tank—the company hasn’t yet said—as the item boasts that will the setup will allow the driver “unlimited range to complete the days’ tasks.”

The company already projects efficiency: at 75 MPGe in fully electric operation, or 32 mpg city, 28 highway in its E-Gen mode. the item has also confirmed to us that will the item’s targeting a payload of 2200 pounds in addition to also a tow rating of 6000 pounds—respectable numbers, although clearly not intended to be a part of the great arms race among Ford, Chevy/GMC, in addition to also Ram. Workhorse is actually anticipating W-25 in addition to also W-35 versions inside the future, in addition to also the item’s likely that will those would likely have higher capability; inside the meantime the item sees utilities, municipalities, in addition to also government agencies as the primary customers.

The W-15 will have a Centeng-on-frame format that will isn’t shared with any different light-duty production truck, with composite Centeng panels. Panasonic lithium-ion cells—inside the 18650 form factor (roughly AA-sized) that will Tesla currently uses in its vehicles—will be packaged between the steel frame rails in addition to also between the axles. Front in addition to also rear motor systems give This specific truck four-wheel-drive traction. DC fast-charging is actually probably not necessary, as these trucks will be plugged in overnight, typical home/shop Level 2 (240V) hardware could easily bring a full charge by morning.

The cabin is actually claimed to be not bad for 5 adults, in addition to also there are AC in addition to also DC power outlets inside, feeding directly by the battery pack. The tiny range-extender engine gives the Workhorse a packaging advantage: the item’s supposed to be the only pickup of its kind which has a front trunk of the sort normally found in mid- or rear-engine sports cars, or inside the Tesla product S in addition to also product X. in addition to also the company points to both “lane-centering” (we assume that will to mean a lane-keeping system) in addition to also automated braking technology on board.

Workhorse is actually based in Ohio in addition to also has an assembly facility in Indiana. the item’s not a fresh company; the item was established in 2007 as AMP Electric Vehicles. AMP bought Workhorse, a commercial chassis builder, in March 2015. Later last year the item received a 0-truck order by UPS.

The company plans to show an advanced prototype for the vehicle on May 1, 2017—likely at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, a major national event for fleet planners. Pricing just for This specific truck, because of its focus on those managing bottom-line operating costs, will be crucial. Odds are the Workhorse won’t have a lot of showroom allure or valet-parking cachet, though—things that will Tesla’s truck will have in spades, although most definitely at a cost.